Walls of Silence Review by @helen_pryke

I met Helen virtually via Facebook a few months ago and I am so glad we have connected. Helen and I both have something in common and that is of the abuse we have suffered, we are both now authors and have our own stories to tell. I will share more about Helen’s story after my review of her book Walls of Silence which I have given 5 stars.

The blurb:

Living in the mountains of Sicily, Maria has the perfect childhood until the tragic accident that changes her life forever. The events that follow will take her away from her home town to the streets of Milan, in an ever-increasing spiral of abuse and deception. Will she ever be able to trust anyone ever again? Set in turbulent 1960s Italy, Walls of Silence is the story of a girl who must find the courage and strength to survive her family’s betrayal and the prejudices of her country.

Part of the proceeds from this book will go to a women’s centre in the UK.

My review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have to admit I was confident I could get through Walls of Silence in a few sittings but this wasn’t the case, not because I didn’t want to but in fact I had to be mindful as when I chose to read this. Helen does not hide away the reality of what child abuse, sexual abuse and domestic abuse can look like. It is forward and brutally honest and I cannot feel for Maria (the main character) enough, I simply wanted to get her out of the horrific situation that she found herself in and which spiralled out of control.

Despite the honest emotions in Walls of Silence it was also an uplifting story, that even if you are in the most impossible situation there is a way you can escape its just finding how to do it. I commend Helen on how she has put this together and written in first person from the two main characters it shows both sides of the hurt abuse give’s.

I am trying to write this without giving too many spoilers, I related to the letter that is in the epilogue.

I would highly recommend reading this book to anyone thinking there is no hope and no escape from their situation. I would also recommend this to anyone looking for a page turner, the further I got towards the end of the book the more I wanted to pick it up as it kept me wanting to know what’s going to happen next.

Thank you Helen for educating me on another side of abuse I haven’t had personal experience in, for taking your time to get this onto paper and for all your current work in the sector. You are an inspiration.

About the author:

Born in England, Helen Pryke went to live in Italy when she was 20. She had to learn the language, the culture, and the Italian way of doing things, all very different from what she was used to. After having two sons, she dedicated herself to her passion for writing. She has also been working for some years as a translator. Walls of Silence is her first novel, inspired by the dark, fascinating side of Italy and her passion for this beautiful, complicated country.

Since connecting Helen and I have worked together to support each other professionally and also emotionally. It has and will continue to be a delight. In fact if you didn’t know or haven’t read already; Helen give’s her own account of domestic abuse in my second book Clipped Wings.